SOFREP Morning Brief: Syria Confirms Indirect Talks With Israel, Pakistan Downs Indian Drone After Deadly Missile Strikes

Good Morning! Here’s what you need to know this Thursday—SOFREP’s Morning Brief has your defense and world news for May 8, 2025: Syria confirmed indirect talks with Israel after near-miss airstrikes on Damascus. Biden called Trump’s Ukraine policy “modern-day appeasement.” VP Vance said Russia’s demands are too high but supports talks. Germany’s new chancellor, Merz, backed Macron against Trump’s tariffs, urged more Gaza aid, and plans a visit to Ukraine. Pakistan shot down Indian drones after deadly missile strikes. Taiwan warned against China’s rising authoritarianism during its first VE Day event.

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Syria Confirms Indirect Talks With Israel Amid Escalating Cross-Border Strikes

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa revealed Wednesday that his government is engaged in indirect talks with Israel aimed at de-escalating rising tensions following a sharp uptick in Israeli airstrikes.

One of the recent Israeli strikes landed just 500 meters from the presidential palace in Damascus, intensifying fears of further conflict.

“There are indirect talks with Israel through mediators to calm and attempt to absorb the situation,” al-Sharaa said, emphasizing the risk of escalation spiraling beyond control.

He accused Israel of “random interventions” and confirmed that Damascus is working with countries that maintain communication with Israel to pressure it to halt its attacks on Syrian territory.

Israel claimed the strikes were in response to perceived threats against its Druze minority. Israeli authorities have not commented on the Syrian claims.

Al-Sharaa made the announcement during a landmark visit to Paris — his first trip to Europe since taking power after leading opposition forces in the December overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. The visit required a special waiver from the United Nations due to al-Sharaa’s previous leadership role in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda.

At a joint press conference at the Élysée Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged al-Sharaa’s shift in policy and expressed conditional support for sanctions relief. Macron stated France would consider lifting European Union sanctions in phases, contingent on Syria’s progress toward stability, minority protections, and counterterrorism efforts.

“I told the president that if he continues on his path, we would do the same,” Macron said. He added that France would also advocate for the US to follow suit.

Some European Union restrictions have already been relaxed, while others targeting individuals and entities are set to expire on June 1. However, sanctions remain in critical sectors like energy and transportation — areas vital for Syria’s recovery, with reconstruction costs estimated at over $250 billion by the World Bank.

Macron also urged the US to delay its planned military withdrawal from Syria, viewing sanctions relief as a more effective step toward securing long-term regional stability.

Biden Slams Trump’s Ukraine Stance as “Modern-Day Appeasement”

In his first post-presidential interview, Joe Biden criticized President Donald Trump’s approach to the war in Ukraine, calling it “modern-day appeasement.”

The former president likened Trump’s push to pressure Ukraine into ceding territory to Russia to failed efforts to halt Nazi expansion in the 1930s, a reference to British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s concessions to Adolf Hitler.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today program in an interview aired Wednesday, Biden warned that Trump’s recent comments about acquiring Panama, Greenland, and Canada had damaged US credibility in Europe.

“What president ever talks like that?” Biden said. “That’s not who we are. We’re about freedom, democracy, opportunity — not about confiscation.”

Biden also addressed his decision to exit the 2024 race in favor of former Vice President Kamala Harris, calling it a “difficult decision” but necessary. He dismissed criticism that he should have stepped aside earlier, saying it “would(n’t) have mattered.”

The former president raised alarm over the Trump administration’s reported willingness to let Russia retain some Ukrainian territory in a potential peace deal. “It is modern-day appeasement,” Biden repeated. Trump has called the war in Ukraine a waste of lives and money and previously paused — then resumed — US aid to the country.

Last week, the US and Ukraine signed a deal granting American access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, which Trump framed as a potential return on investment to justify further aid.

Biden expressed concern that NATO allies are beginning to lose trust in the US due to Trump’s foreign policy direction.

“Europe is going to lose confidence in the certainty of America,” he said, warning that allies are questioning whether they can rely on US leadership.

He also condemned Trump’s Oval Office confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February, calling it “beneath America.”

“I don’t understand how they fail to understand that there’s strength in alliances,” Biden added.

When asked about Trump’s celebratory tone marking his first 100 days back in office, Biden responded, “I don’t see anything that was triumphant… I’ll let history render the judgement.”

VP Vance: Russia “Asking for Too Much” in Ukraine Peace Talks

Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that Russia’s current peace demands to end the war in Ukraine are excessive, even as the US continues to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Speaking at a Washington event hosted by the Munich Security Conference, Vance did not detail Moscow’s terms but struck a more optimistic tone than President Donald Trump has in recent weeks.

“I wouldn’t say that the Russians are uninterested in bringing this thing to a resolution,” Vance said. “What I would say is right now: the Russians are asking for a certain set of requirements… We think they’re asking for too much.”

President Trump, responding to Vance’s remarks later that day, appeared to acknowledge the assessment without fully endorsing it. “Well, it’s possible that’s right,” Trump said, adding he had been preoccupied with other matters and may not have had the same level of detail.

Vance emphasized the US appreciates Ukraine’s readiness for a 30-day ceasefire, but said Russia has rejected the idea, calling it “not in [their] strategic interests.” He said US officials are now focused on facilitating direct negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to work toward a long-term settlement.

The vice president notably avoided repeating earlier criticisms of Zelenskyy, choosing instead to highlight the importance of moving past short-term pauses in fighting toward a durable peace framework.

Vance also addressed criticism from his February appearance at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, where he warned that free speech is “in retreat” across Europe. On Wednesday, he clarified that his concerns applied equally to the US under President Joe Biden.

“It’s not ‘Europe bad, America good,’” he said. “Both Europe and the United States… got a little bit off track.”

Turning to the Middle East, Vance offered few specifics on the timing of potential US-Iran nuclear talks but reiterated the Trump administration’s stance that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal had “incredibly weak” oversight provisions. He said the administration is seeking a new agreement that would reintegrate Iran into the global economy while fully eliminating the risk of it acquiring a nuclear weapon.

“We think that there is a deal here… that would result in the complete cessation of any chance that they can get a nuclear weapon,” Vance said.

The remarks come as US efforts to de-escalate global hotspots—from Eastern Europe to the Middle East—face growing pressure amid complex geopolitical realities.

Germany’s New Chancellor Merz Aligns with France Against Trump Tariffs, Urges More Aid for Gaza, and Plans Ukraine Visit

Germany’s newly appointed Chancellor Friedrich Merz wasted no time stepping into global affairs, using his first full day in office to forge a united front with French President Emmanuel Macron against President Donald Trump’s trade war, push for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and signal his intent to visit Ukraine.

At a joint press conference in Paris, Merz and Macron emphasized their commitment to European unity, defense modernization, and transatlantic cooperation.

“It is our firm conviction that we cannot end this war in Ukraine without further political and military engagement by the United States,” Merz said.

Macron echoed the urgency of reinforcing European security, promising to accelerate Franco-German defense collaboration on next-generation tanks, missiles, and aircraft.

The leaders also expressed alarm over Trump’s renewed tariffs on European goods and pledged a coordinated response. Macron stressed that France and Germany would act “hand in hand” to defend EU economic interests and secure a balanced resolution.

The meeting marked a reset in Franco-German ties after a period of domestic political distractions in both capitals. Macron hailed Merz’s visit as “a new page” in the bilateral partnership and a clear signal that Berlin is re-engaging in global leadership after the more cautious approach of Merz’s predecessor.

Merz also made a stop in Poland, where he announced plans to strengthen German border security and curb illegal migration by deploying more federal police and tightening asylum protocols. At a joint appearance with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, he called for a united EU stance to deter smugglers and unauthorized migrants.

On the Middle East, both Merz and Macron urged Israel to resume the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has been blocked for more than two months amid Israel’s ongoing offensive against Hamas. Merz called on Israel to act “more responsibly,” while Macron warned against applying “double standards,” noting Europe’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty must be matched by attention to Palestinian suffering.

The Gaza conflict, sparked by the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 Israelis, has since left more than 52,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel is now preparing for a new phase in its campaign.

Both leaders also expressed deep concern over a sharp escalation between India and Pakistan, condemning India’s missile strikes that killed 31 people in Pakistani-controlled territory as part of retaliation for a previous militant attack in Kashmir. Merz and Macron called for restraint between the two nuclear-armed rivals.

Merz’s diplomatic push comes on the heels of a historic stumble — failing to secure the chancellorship in the first round of parliamentary voting, a first for a postwar German leader. Despite that, his immediate outreach to Paris and Warsaw sends a message of urgency and renewed German assertiveness in foreign policy.

Pakistan Downs Indian Drone After Deadly Missile Strikes Escalate Border Tensions

Pakistan’s air defense forces shot down an Indian drone near the eastern city of Lahore early Thursday, amid rising military tensions along the Pakistan-India frontier in the disputed Kashmir region.

The incident comes a day after Indian missile strikes killed at least 31 civilians in Pakistan, including women and children, according to Pakistani officials.

Police official Mohammad Rizwan confirmed the drone was intercepted near Walton Airport, a site housing military installations just 25 kilometers from the Indian border.

Local media also reported that two additional drones were shot down in separate locations in Punjab province, where most of the missile strike casualties occurred.

Security sources stated that Pakistan’s defense system engaged a small Indian drone, though it remains unclear whether the aircraft was armed. The Indian government has not issued a statement.

BREAKING:

🇵🇰 Pakistan’s air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a high-tech Indian stealth drone attempting to conduct surveillance over sensitive locations. The drone was accurately targeted and crashed in fragments near Walton, Lahore. pic.twitter.com/cVhVkvP5qq

— NOVEXA (@Novexa24) May 8, 2025

In a separate incident, a drone crashed into farmland in Punjab’s Chakwal district. Authorities recovered the wreckage and are investigating its origin.

India claimed its Wednesday strikes targeted at least nine sites inside Pakistan, alleging links to terror plots against Indian targets. Pakistan has denied harboring militants and has condemned the attacks as unprovoked aggression.

The escalation follows a deadly April 22 attack in India-controlled Kashmir, where 26 Hindu pilgrims were killed by gunmen. India blamed Pakistan-based militants for the massacre. Islamabad has denied involvement.

The situation remains tense along the heavily militarized border, with both nations on high alert.

Taiwan Marks VE Day With Warning Against Rising Authoritarian Threats from China

Taiwan used its first official commemoration of Victory in Europe Day on Thursday to warn of growing threats from authoritarian regimes, specifically pointing to China’s actions in the region.

President Lai Ching-te drew sharp parallels between the aggression that sparked World War II and modern-day pressures facing Taiwan and fellow democracies.

“Peace is priceless, and war has no winners,” Lai told diplomats in Taipei. “Military aggression against another country is an unjust crime that is bound to fail.”

Without naming China directly at first, Lai condemned authoritarianism, saying it leads only to “slaughter, tragedy, and greater inequality.”

He later explicitly identified China as part of a “new authoritarian bloc,” citing recent sabotage of undersea communication cables, disinformation campaigns targeting Taiwan’s elections, and economic coercion through so-called gray-zone activities.

“We are seeing our fair, free, and open international rules-based markets being tested,” Lai said.

Lai’s remarks come as Taiwan intensifies diplomatic outreach to like-minded democracies, many of which lack formal ties with the island due to Beijing’s claims over it. Former President Tsai Ing-wen is scheduled to visit Lithuania and Denmark, while Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is visiting Texas to bolster unofficial relationships.

Today, on the 80th Victory in Europe Day, I emphasized #Taiwan’s ties with democracies in #Europe & our commitment to peace. With rising authoritarian threats, freedom-loving people must stand in solidarity to ensure that aggressors have no opportunity to advance their ambitions. pic.twitter.com/WhDXkUhjLa

— 賴清德Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) May 8, 2025

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Moscow for Victory Day celebrations, where Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed him as “our main guest.” The two leaders, who have met over 40 times, are expected to discuss energy cooperation and foreign policy alignment through the BRICS economic bloc.

China has provided diplomatic and economic support to Russia throughout its war in Ukraine, becoming a key buyer of Russian oil and gas and a critical supplier of machinery and electronics amid Western sanctions. Though Beijing has not supplied weapons to Moscow, it has consistently defended Russia’s position and condemned Western sanctions.

Lai cautioned that just as the spread of World War II was enabled by a failure to confront authoritarian aggression early on, democracies today must not “sit idly by” in the face of similar threats.

“The outbreak of the war in Europe… had much more to do with a lack of vigilance toward acts of aggression,” he said.

Taiwan, governed by the democratic successor to Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist regime, continues to resist Beijing’s claims of sovereignty. China has declared reunification—by force if necessary—a historical inevitability.

Taiwan also recalled its WWII-era legacy, when the Nationalist regime provided refuge to thousands of European Jews fleeing the Holocaust by granting them visa-free access to Shanghai.

Sources: News Agencies